Assistant Director, Human Resources Operations

The Assistant Director, Human Resources Operations reports to the Executive Director of Human Resources and provides executive-level leadership across employee relations, recruitment and selection oversight, and HR reporting and data systems. This onsite role in Newport News, VA also serves as system administrator and primary subject matter expert for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and related background check processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Report to the Executive Director of Human Resources and lead the University’s employee relations program administration.
• Provide strategic oversight of recruitment and selection processes, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and institutional policies for faculty and staff searches.
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and submission for federal and state reporting requirements.
• Directly supervise the Recruitment Team and the Human Resources Business Partner, Employee Relations.
• Lead the selection, implementation, and ongoing administration of the University’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and the background check system and processes.
• Serve as the system administrator and primary subject matter expert, ensuring system integrity, optimizing functionality, and supporting effective institution-wide utilization.
• Lead employee relations efforts as an employee relations liaison with departments, improving the workplace through employee relations strategies such as training programs, workshops, and individual meetings.
• Analyze employee relations problem situations and partner with employees and managers to identify alternative dispute resolution approaches; coordinate mediations as needed.
• Serve as a contact for investigations, conduct interviews with employees and managers as needed, and provide advice, assistance, and counseling to support positive resolution of work-related issues and grievances.
• Lead internal investigations by ensuring accurate documentation and process controls that support timely, consistent, and appropriate intervention; maintain employee relations files and track investigation progress through completion.
• Collaborate with departments and supervisors regarding unsatisfactory probationary and annual reviews, ensuring required documentation is provided and, when appropriate, training is scheduled to support employee success.
• Consult with the Director of Institutional Compliance/Title IX Coordinator on related issues, policies, and needs and serve as the Title IX liaison.
• Advise the Executive Director of Human Resources on DHRM and Employee Dispute Resolution (EDR) policies, performance planning and evaluation, and related issues, needs, and recommended actions.
• Consult with faculty, staff, and supervisors on EDR and DHRM policies and procedures, including dispute resolution, performance planning and evaluation, and required reporting.
• Represent the University in the Commonwealth’s grievance process in collaboration with the Executive Director of Human Resources.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, policies, and procedures for employee relations matters, including leading VEC documentation and hearings.
• Manage accurate and timely quarterly payments.
• Support required data collection and submission for annual EO, IPEDS, and various VA state and federal reports.
• Collect and analyze monthly HR data covering recruitment, benefits, employee relations, and training and development, and provide monthly data related to employee relations and turnover.
• Conduct employee exit surveys, track trends and attrition concerns, and report findings to the Executive Director on an ongoing basis.
• Review recruitment and selection practices to ensure compliance in faculty and staff searches, including reviewing job postings, recruitment strategies, and selection procedures for equal opportunity and affirmative action compliance.
• Monitor hiring practices for potential biases or disparities and conduct reviews of recruitment and hiring processes to ensure adherence to legal and institutional requirements.
• Provide guidance and support to departments and search committees on hiring best practices; lead recruitment and selection oversight aligned with Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) policies, federal requirements, and University procedures.
• Establish and maintain a budget for recruitment marketing plans in collaboration with the Executive Director of Human Resources.
• Develop, coordinate, and execute a comprehensive recruitment calendar with the recruitment team to ensure recruitment is planned, communicated, and aligned with recruitment goals.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external workforce development programs, including DOD SkillBridge, and develop partnerships with community organizations and external stakeholders to support recruitment and organizational goals.
• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate, and recommend personnel actions for individuals under direct and indirect supervision within the Human Resources Department.
• Collect and analyze relevant data to recommend strategic process improvements to the Executive Director of Human Resources.
• Serve as the designated representative for the Executive Director of Human Resources, leading HR operations and serving as primary point of contact during the Executive Director’s absence.
• Ensure HR practices adhere to federal, state, and local employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, etc.) and review HR policies to ensure updates based on regulatory changes and organizational needs.
• Serve as project manager for HR department projects as needed, and lead change-management efforts related to new systems and processes when required.
• Coordinate fulfillment of public information requests in collaboration with the Executive Director of Human Resources, Public Information Officer, President, or VPs.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to implement department goals and strategic planning aligned with Strategic Compass.
• Assist, as needed, with coordinating special events within the Human Resources Office.
• Act as a “responsible employee” with authority to redress sexual violence and the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, consistent with the posted designation.
• Maintain very positive and professional customer service and relations with students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees, and fully support the “Student’s First” value at CNU.
• Review and communicate safety issues to support a safe and healthy workplace and reduce work-related absence.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree with significant experience that equates to an advanced degree.
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification.
• Demonstrated experience in human resources, employee relations, or equal employment opportunity (EEO).
• Experience using word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Experience analyzing data and submitting reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Working knowledge of employee relations and training and development practices.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to organize and implement projects or program plans and develop and advise on policy.
• Ability to independently research, investigate, and analyze complex questions and issues.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with absolute discretion.
• Ability to quickly react and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong analytical skills, including interpreting complex data and generating actionable insights.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate data effectively, including understanding data types, structures, and formats.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of personnel administration and applicable federal and state laws.
• Working knowledge of grievance rights of employees, personnel policies, and judicial and administrative decisions related to employee rights.
• Demonstrated ability to counsel employees effectively and mediate issues with managers and human resource officers to resolve employment disputes.
• Ability to navigate complex workforce issues with fairness and consistency, with strategic thinking and operational detail.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours as required to support critical operations and emergency response efforts.

Tools & Systems

• Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Job Details

• Location: Newport News, VA (onsite)
• Salary: USD 105,933 to 135,000 per year (commensurate with education and experience)
• Appointment Type: Full Time
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Position Number: FA404
• Telework Eligibility: Yes, periodic telework as determined by the department (eligibility not guaranteed; subject to supervisor approval; requires a Telework Agreement)
• Sensitive Position: No
• Restricted Position: No
• Campus Security Authority: Yes (required to immediately report reported crimes to University Police; annual training required by the Department of Education)
• Designated Personnel: Yes (may be required to work during emergency closing events, depending on circumstances)
• Statement of Economic Interest: No
• Application Posting Number: AP470P
• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Posting Date: 08/14/2026
• Review Begin Date: 08/31/2026
• Position Status: Posted until filled; review of applications begins 08/31/2026

Application Instructions

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, current resume, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application.